Practical staging tips from a pro

By Melissa Chang

Published: 2011.12.27 12:40 AM

“In a hot market, a staged property will command more money with less days on the market. In a slower market, the staged property will sell before the un-staged property, everything else pretty much equal (price, location, condition),” says Charene Davis of Aloha Staged Interiors.

Experienced realtors know this, having seen it make the difference in their sales over the years, and wouldn't think of showing a home without staging it first. It's a bit of an investment, but these savvy sellers will tell you the payoff is worth it.

Davis is also a realtor with Maruyama Realty and agreed to take me through one of her listings to show the thought process behind staging some of the rooms. It's a remodeled three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Kalani Iki Estates and is the only one in this price range that has an ocean view.

It's got 1,345 square feet of living area and a large, 235-square-foot lanai. Some of the upgrades include a Kohler bar sink, natural honed tile and African mahogany cabinets. The home includes two covered carports. (Click here for more details.)

There are about 129 units on this tree-lined, 20-acre property, with guest parking all along the roadsides. Since it's a planned project with condo amenities, you can enjoy the area's pool, paddle tennis court and lush landscaping without having to worry about maintenance-it's all done by the association.

If you’d like to see it, it will be open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

About Our Writer

Rachel Ross Bradley is a Realtor-associate at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hawai‘i Realty. Raised in Hawai‘i Kai, she previously worked in public relations and marketing where she assisted some of O‘ahu’s biggest community developers, educators and businesses. She loves connecting people and says that real estate is a form of matchmaking. She is mom to three teenagers and an avid runner, and notes that the hour each day of pavement-pounding is the only teen-angst-free peace and quiet she gets all day. rachelb@bhhshawaii.com